So, you’re about to go on a date…

About to go on a first date? Then you could be easily excused for feeling nervous. You are probably anxious about what to wear, what topics you should bring up as the two of you chat away, and what food you should order… among many other things. Some aspects of the date, you won’t be able to prepare for. However, there remain many ways in which you can garner a good first impression.

Decide on a variety of subjects to talk about
Would you be particularly thrilled if, when on a date, the other person just spent most of their time talking about their work? In that case, you should avoid sticking to similar chat yourself. In fact, you should go into that date armed with knowledge of a broad range of subjects that you could discuss. This can be useful for keeping the date interesting for whoever you are dating.
In fact, that person should be one of your interests… at least while you are with them. The Huffington Post intriguingly advises: “50% of the airtime is yours, so stay above 30% and below 70%.” The site adds: “No relationship or date is an exact 50/50, but balance needs to be established for harmony to begin.”

Set aside both event time and talk time
How much do you really have in common with your date? To find out, you can prepare, for when you meet up with them, an event – like a film, concert or museum visit – and separate time simply to talk. The latter can be good for assessing the extent to which your date’s opinion of the event differed from yours. Each of you needs to be doing more than baring their soul to the other.

Wear something pristine, not damaged
At home, you might have heaps of clothes that are torn, stretched, or damaged in some other fashion. They could be the clothes that you just casually throw onto yourself whenever you want to unwind after a hard day at work. You shouldn’t consider wearing any of those clothes for your date!
However, you shouldn’t necessarily pay too much attention to what the “in” labels and trends are. Bustle quotes dating expert Chiara Atik as citing, for your first date clothes, the more crucial things as “that they fit well, and what state your clothes are in.”
Atik, who wrote Modern Dating: A Field Date, remarks that “there are some people who just don’t put any thought into what they wear on first dates.” Buying a nice set of new trousers from Dickies Life can give you a head start on those people.

Treat your date as your date, not your therapist or spiritual advisor
Whatever your genuine or perceived problems or drawbacks, avoid bringing them up until you know that your date is seriously interested in you. This first date should be just about having fun – and so you should aim to put in at least 50% of what is necessary for reaching that goal.